Attic Door and Access Ladder Hand Tool

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a handheld tool for opening or actuating attic doors and pulling down extendable attic access ladders therefrom. The tool features a handle/pole that includes a grip at one end, and a hook at the opposite end. The hook is configured to couple with an eyehook of an attic door, thereby enabling a user to pull the handle to open the door. The hook can be coupled to a side hook of the ladder to pull down the access ladder. The handle is extended towards the attic to couple or engage the hook with the eyehook and the side hook, and thereby enables a user to stand on the floor while opening the door and pulling the ladder. The aforementioned obviates the use of a stool, step ladder or any other makeshift elevation mechanism for accessing attic doors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/180,871, which was filed on Apr. 28,2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of devices used foraccessing attic areas. More specifically, the present invention relatesto a hand tool for opening an attic door, attaching to an attic accessladder and pulling the attic access ladder. The hand tool specificallyobviates the need of using a stepstool, a ladder or any other makeshiftelevation tool for accessing the attic door. The tool includes a polethat can be telescoping and a hook that locks onto an eyehook of theattic door to pull down the door in order to open the door. The hook isalso used to lock to a side hook of the access ladder to pull down theladder. The handle enables the user to stand on the floor and extend thepole to allow the hook to reach the eyehook and side hook. The tool isalso used for pushing the ladder back up into the attic space and forclosing the door. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specificreference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects ofthe present invention are also equally applicable to other likeapplications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, attics typically include the space between theroof of the house and the ceiling of the highest floor of the house.Usually, attics are full of insulation and sometimes heating and/or airconditioning equipment as well. Attic areas are spacious and providecost-free and nearby storage space. Attic areas are accessed through oneor more access openings which are generally covered by a hinged door.The door remains in a closed position and is opened by a user foraccessing the attic area. Generally, attic doors come along withretractable folding step ladders that are pulled manually, unfolded andthen used for accessing the attic. However, accessing and unfoldingattic ladders is generally difficult and cumbersome.

Generally, a user cannot reach the attic door as the door is positionedat a considerable height. A user has to use a stepstool, ladder or anyother makeshift elevation mechanism to reach the attic door. A hook or acord attached to the door is then grabbed by the user to open the door.A user trying to open the attic door while standing on a temporaryelevation tool is exposed to the danger of falling off of the temporaryelevation tool. This can be due to loss of balance, trying to stretchthe body to reach the door and more. This can cause serious injuries tothe user. Similarly, a user has to use the elevation tools to pull thecorresponding ladder from the door. This requires strength and the usermay not be able to effectively pull the ladder to the unfolded positionand may also fall during the operation.

The traditional process described supra requires a person to search formakeshift elevation tools that are neither safe, nor efficient oreffective. Further, elderly individuals and individuals with limitedphysical strength are typically prohibited from accessing the atticareas.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improveddevice that facilitates opening of an attic door, pulling an accessladder and unfolding same in a safe manner. There is also a long feltneed in the art for a device that enables individuals to easily accessattic areas. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for animproved attic access device that obviates the use of stepstools,ladders and other makeshift elevation tools for accessing the attic.Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that enablesindividuals to open attic doors while standing on the floor. Further,there is a long felt need in the art for an improved method of openingor actuating attic doors that does not require physical dexterity.Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an attic access devicethat offers a safe and convenient method for actuating and closing theattic door, and for pulling, unfolding and retracting the access ladderwithout worry of injury or strain to a user.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises an attic access hand tool. The attic access hand toolis used for opening an attic door and pulling an attic access ladderwithout need for a user to use of a makeshift elevation mechanism ortool. The tool further includes an elongated or telescoping pole thatincludes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end includesan ergonomic grip for comfortably grasping the tool while in use and thesecond end having a hook integrally or removably-attached thereto. Thetool is extended upwards or telescoped by a user in order for the hookto engage or couple to an eyehook positioned at the door of the attic.The door can be pulled down by applying a minimal pull force by theuser, and then the hook can be coupled to the attic ladder's side hookfor pulling down the access ladder.

In the aforementioned manner, the attic access hand tool of the presentinvention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides userswith a unique device capable of grabbing the eye hook on an attic door,pulling upon the eye hook, and opening the attic door with ease. Thehandle/pole can be extended or telescoped, thereby enabling the user toreach, engage and open the door and then subsequently pull the ladder,thus obviating the need of any makeshift elevation mechanism. The toolenables users to easily pull out both the door and the ladder withouthaving to use a chair, stepstool, etc., and can also be used to closethe attic door once access is no longer desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises an attic access hand tool. The attic access hand toolis designed to open an attic door, engage an attic ladder and lower theattic ladder without need of a user to use a makeshift elevationmechanism or tool. The tool further comprising an elongated handlehaving a first end and an opposite second end, the first end having anergonomic grip for comfortably grasping the tool in use, the second endhaving a hook integrally or removably-attached to the handle, whereinthe tool is extended upwards by a user for the hook to couple or engageto an eyehook positioned at the door of the attic. The door can bepulled down by applying a minimal pulling force by the user, and thensubsequently the hook can be coupled to the attic ladder's side hook forpulling down the access ladder.

In yet another embodiment, the elongated handle is a telescoping handlethat can be extended and retracted to adjust a length of the atticaccess tool.

In yet another embodiment, the ergonomic grip includes a strap forfurther enabling the user to firmly grasp the attic access tool duringuse.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an attic door andaccess ladder opening tool is disclosed. The tool comes along with aneyehook that is configured to attach to an attic door, and a side hookthat is configured to attach to an attic access ladder. The toolincludes a pole having a hook at one end and a grip at the opposite end,wherein the hook can be engaged to the eyehook positioned on the atticdoor, enabling a user to pull down and open the door. The hook isfurther configured to engage or secure with the side hook, therebyenabling a user to pull down and unfold the ladder in order to accessthe attic.

In yet another embodiment, the pole can be used for pushing the ladderto the folded and retracted position, and then can be used to close theattic door.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the tool is used foropening doors and pulling extendable ladders that are retracted inattics and oriented in both vertical and horizontal directions.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method foractuating an attic door and pulling down an extendable attic accessladder without using a stepstool, ladder or any other makeshiftelevation tool by a user is described. The method includes the step ofextending a hand tool having a hook to reach a first eyehook positionedon the attic door, then securing the hook to the eyehook and pullingupon the pole of the tool to open the attic door. The method furtherincludes the step of removing the hook from the first eyehook and thenengaging a second eyehook affixed or positioned to a side area of theattic access ladder, and finally pulling upon the pole of the tool tounfold and lower the attic access ladder.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading andunderstanding of the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and areintended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of anattic door and ladder access tool or device of the present invention inaccordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art method of pullingthe attic door without using the attic door and ladder access tool ofthe present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the use of the attic doorand ladder access tool or device of the present invention to open theattic door in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing the use of the attic doorand ladder access tool of the present invention to pull the attic ladderand unfold or extend same in accordance with the disclosed architecture;and

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram showing exemplary steps performed foraccessing a foldable or extendable attic access ladder by a user whilestanding on the floor in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments arediscussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are describedonly to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are notintended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limitthe scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment neednot have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in otherembodiments, any of the features described herein from differentembodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improveddevice that facilitates opening of an attic door, pulling an accessladder, and unfolding or extending same in a safe manner. There is alsoa long felt need in the art for a device that enables individuals toeasily access attic areas. Additionally, there is a long felt need inthe art for an improved attic access device that obviates the use ofstepstools, ladders and other makeshift elevation tools for accessingthe attic. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a devicethat enables individuals to open attic doors while standing on thefloor. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for an improvedmethod of opening or actuating attic doors that does not requirephysical dexterity. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for anattic access device that offers a safe and convenient method foractuating and closing the attic door; and, for pulling,unfolding/extending and retracting the access ladder without worry ofinjury or strain to a user.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel atticdoor and access ladder opening tool. The tool includes a separateeyehook that is configured to attach or engage to an attic door and alsoengage to a side hook that is configured to attach to an attic accessladder. Further, the tool includes a pole that includes a hook at oneend and a grip at the opposite end. The hook is locked or secured to theeyehook positioned on the attic door, enabling a user to pull down andopen the door. The hook is further configured to lock or engage with theside hook of the access ladder, thereby enabling a user to pull down theladder and access the attic.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspectiveview of one potential embodiment of attic door and ladder access device100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture. The attic door and ladder access device 100 of the presentinvention is designed to easily pull down an attic door and a ladderwithout using a stepstool or any makeshift elevation system. Morespecifically, the device 100 includes an elongated handle/pole 102having a first end 104 and a second end 106. The first end 104 includesan ergonomic grip 108 enabling a user to grip the device easily andcomfortably 100. For further securing the grip of the user, a strap 110is also disposed using the strap connectors 1100,1102. The second end106 of the handle 102 includes a wing nut 114 integrally connected to aneye hook 112. The eye hook 112 and the wing nut assembly 114 can beremoved from the second end 106 as per the requirement of the user incase the hook 112 gets physically damaged.

The eye hook 112 is configured to engage or secure to the hook embeddedon the attic door for opening the door (as best shown in FIG. 3) and toa ladder eye hook for pulling the ladder (as best shown in FIG. 4). Thedevice 100 is safe and comfortable for one-handed or two-handedoperation, and obviates the need of a user to use a stepstool or anyother elevation system as typically invoked in the prior art (shown inFIG. 2).

The handle 102 can be a telescoping handle with a plurality oftelescoping slots 102 a,102 b,102 c and telescoping sections 103 a,103b,103 c disposed along the length of the handle/pole 102. This enables auser to extend or retract the length of the tool 100, and enables use ofthe tool 100 for attics at various ceiling heights.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art method of pullingthe attic door without using the attic door and ladder access tool 100of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.In the prior art as shown, a user 202 has to use a makeshift elevationmechanism such as a stepstool 204 for reaching the attic 208 positionedon a ceiling 206. The elevation tool is placed on the floor 216 and theuser 202 stands on the stepstool 204. This way of opening the door 210is dangerous as the stepstool 204 may tilt, causing the user 202 tofall. Further, the user 202 may have to stretch to reach the attic door210 and the ladder 212 which is discomforting for the user. Retractingthe door to the closed position is more difficult as the user 202 has tocontinuously put pressure and force onto the door 210 in order to closethe door 210. In the prior art method, the user 202 manually holds thedoor eyehook 214 with a finger(s) for opening and closing the door 210,which can be painful to the finger(s) of the user.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the use of the attic doorand ladder access tool 100 of the present invention to open the atticdoor 210 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The tool 100 isfirmly grasped by the user 202 using a single hand or both hands fromthe grip portion 108. The second end 106 can be extended upwards toreach the door eyehook 214 of the attic 208. It should be appreciatedthat because of the extension of sections 103 a,103 b,103 c and theelongated handle 102 of the tool 100, the user 202 can stand on thefloor 216 and access the door eyehook 214. The hook 112, attached to thewing nut 114, can be secured/hooked to the door eyehook 214, therebyenabling the user to pull the attic door 210 down to access the attic208. The telescopic nature of the handle 102 enables the user 202 toopen doors of attics positioned at various ceiling heights. When thedoor 210 is pulled using the hook 112, the door 210 pivotally lowersalong the hinged edge 302. The tool 100 obviates the need for users toelevate themselves to reach the door eyehook 214.

Similarly, after use of the attic 208, the ladder can be retracted andthe door 210 can be positioned to close the attic 208, by pushing thedoor 210 from the lowered position using the tool 100. The hook 112secured to the door eyehook 214 pushes the door 210 upward to close theattic 208 and the tool 100 can then be securely stored in the home. Thehook 112 provides better control of the load of the door 210 withoutcompromising the operator's 202 safety.

It should be appreciated that the present embodiment shows the use ofthe tool 100 for opening the attic door 210 of the attic 208 installedin a horizontal orientation. However, the tool 100 can be used foropening the attic door of an attic used in vertical orientation, such asfor a knee wall.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing the use of the attic doorand ladder access tool 100 of the present invention to pull the atticladder 212 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. A primaryadvantage of the tool 100 of the present invention is that it can beused for pulling down both the door 210 and the attic ladder 212 foraccessing the attic 208. Once the door 210 is opened using the tool 100,the hook 112 is removed from the door eyehook and is then secured to aside hook 402 of the attic ladder 212. It should be noted the ladderside hook 402 can be integrated to the ladder 212 or can be retrofittedto the ladder 212 through a fastening mechanism such as drilling orwelding. In cases where the ladder side hook 402 is retrofitted, theladder side hook(s) 402 can be commercially packaged as a kit with theattic access tool 100 of the present invention.

Once the hook 112 is secured to the ladder side hook 402, the tool 100is pulled by the user 202 using the handle 102 and thus the ladder 212is lowered (i.e. extended) and accessed by the user 202. Thereafter, theladder 212 can be fully telescopically extended by the user 202.Similarly, the ladder 212 can be retracted by the user 202 and then canbe pushed back towards the door 208 by pushing upward using the tool 100engaged with the side hook 402.

The hook 112 of the tool 100 provides a secure engagement with theladder side hook 402 and provides an easy way for the user 202 to pulldown and extend the ladder 212. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the atticaccess device 100 offers a safe and convenient method for actuating andclosing the attic door without worry of any discomfort and injury to theuser 202.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram showing exemplary steps performed foraccessing a vertical or horizontal oriented attic by a user whilestanding on the floor in accordance with the disclosed architecture.Initially, based on the distance of the attic door from the user, alength of the handle of the attic access tool is adjusted (Step 502)using telescoping sections 103 a,103 b,103 c. Then, the hook of the toolis extended upwards to reach and engage with the attic door eyehook(Step 504). Thereafter, the door is pulled by applying a minimal pullingforce by the user resulting in pivotally moving the attic door along afixed-hinged edge (Step 506). Once, the door is properly opened, thehook of the tool is engaged to the attic ladder side hook (Step 508).Finally, the ladder is pulled and lowered (i.e. unfolded or extended) bypulling upon the tool 100, thereby enabling the user to access theladder to climb to the attic (Step 510).

It should be noted that in one embodiment of the present invention, thetool 100, the door eyehook 214 and the ladder side hook 402 arecommercially available as a kit and can be purchased together byconsumers.

The handle 102 is made from a rust-free and lightweight material such aswood, aluminum or stainless steel. The handle 102 can be telescopic orcan have a fixed length. The wing nut 114 is integrally connected to thehook 112, however, the wing nut 114 can be detached from the second end106 of the handle 102. The handle 102 can have a length in the rangefrom about three feet to about seven feet or can telescope in a rangefrom about three feet to about seven feet.

Any or all of the exemplary embodiments and dimensions of the tool 100can be modified or adapted to suit the user's requirements and thestructural specifications of the building into which the attic isinstalled.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the artwill appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature orcomponent by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components or features that differ in name but notstructure or function. As used herein “attic access tool”, “attic doorand ladder access tool”, “tool”, “attic access hand tool”, “device”, and“portable attic access tool” are interchangeable and refer to theportable attic door and ladder access tool 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the portable attic door and ladder accesstool 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size andconfiguration as is known in the art without affecting the overallconcept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-statedobjectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thesize, configuration and material of the portable attic door and ladderaccess tool 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposesonly, and that many other sizes and shapes of the portable attic doorand ladder access tool 100 are well within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Although the dimensions of the portable attic door andladder access tool 100 are important design parameters for userconvenience, the portable attic door and ladder access tool 100 may beof any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or thatsuits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. While the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combinations of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the presentinvention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with allequivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. An attic door and ladder access device kitcomprising: an elongated pole having a first end and a second end;wherein said first end includes an ergonomic grip; wherein said secondend includes a wing nut and an eye hook; wherein said elongated poleincludes a plurality of telescoping sections for varying a length ofsaid elongated pole; a first hook for connecting to an attic door; asecond hook for connecting to an extendable attic ladder; wherein saideye hook engageable to said first hook for opening said attic door; andwherein said eye hook engageable to said second hook for extending saidattic ladder.
 2. The attic door and ladder access device kit of claim 1,wherein said grip includes a strap for securing around a hand of a user.3. The attic door and ladder access device kit of claim 2, wherein saidwing nut integrally connected to said eye hook.
 4. The attic door andladder access device kit of claim 3, wherein said wing nut and said eyehook are replaceable.
 5. The attic door and ladder access device kit ofclaim 4, wherein said plurality of telescoping sections includes threetelescoping sections and three telescoping slots.
 6. An attic door andladder access device kit comprising: a telescoping pole having a firstend and a second end; wherein said first end includes an ergonomic grip;wherein said second end includes an eye hook; wherein said telescopingpole includes a plurality of telescoping sections for varying a lengthof said telescoping pole; wherein said plurality of telescoping sectionsincludes three telescoping sections and three telescoping slots; a firsthook for connecting to an attic door; a second hook for connecting to anextendable attic ladder; wherein said eye hook engageable to said firsthook for opening said attic door; and wherein said eye hook engageableto said second hook for extending said attic ladder.
 7. The attic doorand ladder access device kit of claim 6, wherein said grip includes astrap for securing around a hand of a user.
 8. The attic door and ladderaccess device kit of claim 7, wherein said second end further includes awing nut integrally connected to said eye hook.
 9. The attic door andladder access device kit of claim 8, wherein said wing nut and said eyehook are replaceable.
 10. A method for actuating an attic door andextending and retracting a ladder therefrom, the method comprising thesteps of: connecting a first hook to an attic door; connecting a secondhook to an extendable attic ladder; extending a telescoping pole havinga first end and a second end, wherein said first end includes anergonomic grip and said second end includes an eye hook; engaging saideye hook to said first hook; pulling downward on said telescoping polefor opening said attic door; disengaging said eye hook from said firsthook; engaging said eye hook to said second hook; and pulling downwardon said telescoping pole for extending said attic ladder.
 11. The methodfor actuating an attic door and extending and retracting a ladder ofclaim 10, wherein said telescoping pole includes a plurality oftelescoping sections for varying a length of said telescoping pole. 12.The method for actuating an attic door and extending and retracting aladder of claim 11, wherein said plurality of telescoping sectionsincludes three telescoping sections and three telescoping slots.
 13. Themethod for actuating an attic door and extending and retracting a ladderof claim 12, wherein said grip includes a strap for securing around ahand of a user.
 14. The method for actuating an attic door and extendingand retracting a ladder of claim 13, wherein said second end furtherincludes a wing nut integrally connected to said eye hook.
 15. Themethod for actuating an attic door and extending and retracting a ladderof claim 14, wherein said wing nut and said eye hook are replaceable.16. The method for actuating an attic door and extending and retractinga ladder of claim 10 further comprising a step of pushing upward on saidtelescoping pole for retracting said attic ladder.
 17. The method foractuating an attic door and extending and retracting a ladder of claim16 further comprising a step of disengaging said eye hook from saidsecond hook.
 18. The method for actuating an attic door and extendingand retracting a ladder of claim 17 further comprising a step ofengaging said eye hook to said first hook.
 19. The method for actuatingan attic door and extending and retracting a ladder of claim 18 furthercomprising a step of pushing upward on said telescoping pole for closingsaid attic door.
 20. The method for actuating an attic door andextending and retracting a ladder of claim 18, wherein said telescopingpole telescopes from a length from about three feet to about seven feet.